LAGOS, IKEJA – Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again, gained an upper hand over crime by securing the conviction of one Mr. Ugenyi Kalu, a former banker.
The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, sentenced Kalu to four years and two months in prison.
The ruling was given by trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi.
Kalu, who served as the Head of the Lagos Region at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), was found guilty on four counts of official corruption and gratification.
He was convicted of receiving a N4 million bribe from one Obi Ogoh in connection with a loan granted to Sevirg AgroAllied Mills Ltd by NEXIM Bank.
According to a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X handle on Tuesday, Kalu’s actions violated Section 8(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which criminalizes the receipt of gratification by a public official.
The agency arraigned Kalu on a five-count charge, to which he pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.
However, during the proceedings, EFCC prosecutor, G.C. Ofulue, presented six witnesses, including two of Kalu’s former colleagues at NEXIM Bank, who testified against him.